Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-04-05
THE INVESTIGATION.
The Post MOrtem Examination Of
the Body Of William A. Douglass
Postponed Until Tomorrow.
Mrs. Douglass Will Come Here Ac-
cOmpanied by the Family Ply
sicIan-A Thorough Inves-
tigatiOn Demanded.
Sprague i'm Durance Vile on the
Charge of Petit Larceny-A Too
Frequent Occurrence.

The coroner's inquest held over the
remains of William A. Douglass yester-
day afternoon, developed no facts beyond
those given in last evenings DEMOCRAT,
except that Sprague, the hickman,
handed over to the coroner the dead
mans watch and chain, which, it is said
he claimed yesterday morning that he
knew nothing about.
Herbert Slade, who has charge of the
bath house, told his story, which corrob-
crates that of Sprague in nearly every
particular. He says, however, that the
man was not dead when taken from the
water, but that he died a few minutes
afterward.
The Coroner's jury could arrive at no
conclusion and it was decided to have
A POST MoRTEM
Examination. This was set for 2 O'Clock
to-day when it was expected that the
whole matter would be cleared up.
The disappearance of $3.50 which it
was supposed Douglass had in his pocket
at the time of his death, aroused some
suspicion against Sprague and led
to his being arrested by the
police at about 9 o'clock last
night. 1t was at first thought that he
would be examined at 10 o'clock this
morning, but for some reason or other
probably desire to await the result of
post nlOrtem) the hearing was postponed.
MRS. DOUGLASS COMING.
Early this morning a telegram was re-
ceived from Mrs. Douglass, the wife of
the deceased, which will necessi-
tate the further postponement of
the examination OF Douglass body.
This dispatch asked that all pro-
ceedings be stayed until the lady's ar
rival, and further stated that she would
bring the family physician from Lead
vile. They will arrive tomorrow even
ing over the d. &. r. G. and should
the train arrive on time it is probable
that the examination can be proceeded
with tomorrow evening. At any rate, it
can hardly be delayed later than Thurs
day morning.
DIR. BENEDICT's OPINION.
DR.. Benedict was this morning asked
by DEMOCRAT reporter for his opinion
as to the manner of Douglass death,
and in reply he said that
he could not give a positive
opinion as to what it was, but he was
almost certain that the man did not
drown. He says that after death from
any kind of strangulation the eye
bulges out and assumes an I'M
natural appearance, and when he
examined Douglass eye he found it in
perfect position and in no way changed.
As to what could have caused death the
doctor gave no opinion, but he felt as
sured that it was not drowning.
sPRAGUE's HEARING.
Sprague was taken into court at 2
O'Clock this afternoon and arraigned upon
the charge of petit larceny-stealing So
from Douglass-and entered plea of not
guilty, stating that he was ready for trial.
The prosecution stated that they
were not ready, and preferred to wait
until the arrival of Mrs. Douglass and the
result OF the post norton examination.
On this account his hearing was post
poned until Saturday next at 2 D. m.
A BAD PRACTICE.
Men in a position to know something
of the shady side of life in this city, say
that the practice of which Sprague is
accused is a more common one
than is generally supposed. 1t is
not an unusual thing for man to hire
some one TO drive him out to the Springs
and then on recovering from his spree,
find that he has been robbed.
There are many delectable stories go
ing the rounds in regard to Sprague to-
day, but the mere fact that Sprague
is in Jail does not justify their
publication without investigation. If
all that is said is true, THE DEMOCRAT
has some hard stories to tell on this man,
but it will wait until he is out of Jail so
that he will have a chance to score his
exceptions.